Slate Breaker: FD CFB DFS Championship Week (Sat)

Quarterbacks

Play of the Day: Jayden Maiava, UNLV (vs Boise State)

Maiava claimed the starting job in September and never looked back. The Freshman QB has always looked wise beyond his years and has only gotten better as the year has gone on so I would not expect this moment to be too big for him in his first taste of postseason football. Boise State has been a formidable defense in years past. While their run defense is still great, they gave up the most passing yards per game in the Mountain West so if Maiava can handle the moment, he is in position for a huge fantasy day against this very beatable Bronco defense.

Jalen Milroe, Alabama (vs Georgia)

Milroe has been the best fantasy QB not named Jayden Daniels over the past month and a half, but he is yet to face a defense anywhere close to Georgia's level. Georgia is yet to face a true running QB so there may be some space for Alabama to exploit in the running game, but Georgia will be disciplined and ready for the challenge. I truly do not know what to expect from Milroe against this defense, but he is just too hot to fade. Milroe strikes me as a genuine boom or bust play as I see him finishing with less than 15 or more than 30 FDPs so play him at your own risk, but he definitely has the potential to deliver on the gamble.

Michael Pratt, Tulane (vs SMU)

Pratt is by far the most experienced QB on this slate and experience is one of the keys to success in the postseason. Pratt has had the most prolific career in Tulane history so he is not someone to be looked over. SMU has been the best defense in the American but they have not faced many good QBs. When they have faced good QBs, TCU, Oklahoma & Memphis, they have gotten torched and allowed 25+ FDPs to their opponent's QB in every one of those games. Play Pratt with confidence this week.

Gunnar Watson, Troy (vs Appalachian State)

In years past, Watson would have been the Play of the Day. Appalachian State has been notorious for getting into shootouts regardless of opponent, but this App State team is different. App state has held their opponents to less than 30 points in 8 of their last 10 games becoming more of a defensive team. Even with their improved defense, I will still be playing Gunnar Watson because this Troy offense is no easy task and if the conference championship proves too big of a stage of the App stater defense, Watson could end up the highest scoring player on this slate.

JJ McCarthy, Michigan (@ Iowa)

This Iowa football team is pure defense. They have basically nothing to offer on the offensive side of the ball, but their defense is as good as any in the nation. Michigan will not have an easy time running the ball so McCarthy will be forced to make some plays. I do not expect him to pass for 300+ but I do like his chances of throwing for 200 and 2 TDs which is modest production, but is enough to deliver value on his $7,700 price on a slate filled with tough defenses.

Tate Rodemaker, Florida State (vs Louisville)

Rodemaker did not look good in his first start of the season, but he is better than that. In this same matchup last year Rodemaker came in for Jordan Travis and moved the ball with ease. He passed the ball for over 100 yards and threw for multiple TDs in limited action. This Louisville defense is improved from last year so he may struggle more, but the majority of those improvements came in the run defense which will only increase Rodemaker's usage. Rodemaker is risky since he did look horrible last week, but at $6,800, he does not need a crazy game to deliver value.

Running Backs

Play of the Day: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (@ UNLV)

You are going to have to choose between Jeanty and Ollie Gordon on this slate. It is tough to not go with Ollie because he has been so hot, but Texas scares me so all aboard the Jeanty wagon. Jeanty remains very under-appreciated as he was doing what Ollie Gordon has been doing in the beginning of the season, but got hurt in October. Jeanty is back to full strength though and needs to be in your lineups. He is the Broncos top weapon in both the running and passing game which has given him a floor of 15 FDPs, but that is just his floor as he has 23+ in all but 2 of his full games this year. UNLV is allowing more than 150 rushing yards per game this year so Jeanty should be able to do what he wants when he wants. Play Jeanty or you will be left behind.

Peny Boone, Toledo (vs Miami (Ohio))

Boone is the MAC's best back, but he gets a tough matchup as he plays one of the MAC's best run defenses. Boone has roasted MAC defenses all year long scoring 15+ FDPS or rushing for 100 rushing yards in every conference game. Well that is not entirely true as he failed to reach any of those marks once against this same Miami team as he rushed for just 73 yards. So the matchup is a bit scary, but he has tremendous upside as the star player for this strong Toledo offense. Boone is not a bad candidate to spend up on since he likely will not leave you disappointed, but he does not have Jeanty's upside.

Blake Corum, Michigan (@ Iowa)

With Iowa's nonexistent offense, Michigan could get away with handing it to Blake Corum on every snap. It will be rough sledding for Corum against one of the nation's top defenses, but the usage will be so high that he will have to come away with a decent yardage total. Corum is as safe a floor play at RB as you can find, but I do worry about this game becoming lopsided because if it does Corum will quickly be pulled to keep him fresh for the CFP.

Makhi Hughes, Tulane (vs SMU)

Hughes is the obvious top back for Tulane securing 20+ touches in 8 straight games and will be heavily relied upon this week. Before last week, this was looking like quite the game, but after SMU lost starting QB Preston Stone, Tulane should cruise in this game. With Tulane likely leading for the majority of the game, Hughes will be given as much work as he can handle and should deliver a fruitful line this week so play him with confidence.

CJ Baxter, Texas (vs Oklahoma State)

While Jeanty is my favorite play on this slate, no one is a safer play than Baxter. He should lead this backfield in work once again and is playing the worst run defense on this slate. No other team allows more rushing yards per game than Oklahoma State as they give a whooping 172 yards. Texas is one of the most productive rushing attacks in the nation so expect a heavy dose of Baxter and there is just no way you will be left disappointed if you play Baxter.

Wide Receivers

Play of the Day: Ricky White, UNLV (vs Boise State)

White is the perfect stack for Jordan Maiava. He has been wildly productive with 100+ yards in 6 of his last 7 games and had 140+ yards in 5 of those games. There is just no other WR on this slate like White and he also has one of the best matchups on this slate so there is no way White is not one of the top performers at WR. You absolutely need White in your lineups.

Troy WRs (vs Appalachian State)

One of these Troy WRs will have a game as the Troy passing attack will be the most productive aspect of this offense. Jabre Barber is the clear top target and will end up with the most targets and catches so he provides a very nice floor at an affordable price. Chris Lewis is the big play threat so he has the highest ceiling out of this group with a 3 TD game under his belt, but he has only topped 100 yards twice this year so he will need a TD to be worth your time. Devonte Ross has slid into the WR3 role so he is a nice dart throw especially if this game turns into a blowout so if you are playing Gunnar Watson and cannot afford one of the top guys, stack him with Ross. One of these guys will be worth your time, but good luck deciding between the 3.

Johnny Wilson, Florida State (vs Louisville)

Wilson seemed to lose the WR1 role to Keon Coleman this year, but with Tate Rodemaker at QB, Wilson looks like the WR1 again. Wilson led the team in targets, catches and yards last week. He was also Rodemaker's go-to guy last year against Louisville when he was on the receiving end of 95% of Rodemaker's passing yards while reeling in 2 TDs. Wilson is a great play and the only way he does not deliver solid value is if the offense completely stalls out.

Chris Brazzell II, Tulane (vs SMU)

Due to injuries, Brazzell has taken over as the WR1 for Tulane. He has been very productive in that role as he averaged 98 yards over the past 2 weeks and has 3 TDs during that span. Jha'Quan Jackson is expected to return this week, but Brazzell will still be the top target. The blowout potential of this game does worry me, but  if this is a competitive game, Brazzell will have a stellar receiving line.

Jermaine Burton, Alabama (vs Georgia)

With the season on the line, expect Burton to show out against his former teammates. Burton is the Alabama pass catcher who will be able win against the Georgia secondary. Burton's biggest concern is Milroe's ability to get him the ball against this tough Georgia pass rush. Luckily, Burton does not need a ton of work to deliver solid value since he is a big play machine. Burton is averaging 22.7 yards per catch this year so expect a solid yardage total and if he finds the endzone he will be a difference maker.

Georgia Pass Catchers (@ Alabama)

These plays all depend on the health of their stars. Brock Bowers and Ladd McConkey are injured and have not been doing a lot in practice this week. If they play I do not love them since they may be limited or leave early if they are trying to play through an injury, but if they miss the game then some serious value opens up. WR Dominic Lovett is the secondary option that rises to the top when opportunity knocks, recording 70+ yards in all but one of the games that Brock Bowers missed. TE Oscar Delp is a solid dart throw if Bowers is out because he played a valuable role in the redzone when Bowers was out. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Dillon Bell will also be heavily involved if the 2 studs miss this game. 

Dream Team

QB: Jordan Maiava, UNLV (vs Boise State)

RB1: Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (@ UNLV)

RB2: CJ Baxter, Texas (vs Oklahoma State)

WR1: Ricky White, UNLV (vs Boise State)

WR2: Johnny Wilson, Florida State (vs Louisville)

WR3: Jermaine Burton, Alabama (vs Georgia)

Flex: Tate Rodemaker, Florida State (vs Louisville)

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